Denim on Ice is the second album by Denim. It was released in 1996. The band went on their first tour supporting Pulp on their stadium tour.
The song "The Great Pub Rock Revival" jokingly namechecks musician Wreckless Eric, who in retaliation penned a scathing response with his group The Hitsville House Band, entitled "Lawrence of Arabia on Ice".
Track listing All songs written by Lawrence, except where noted.
"The Great Pub Rock Revival" – 4:14 "It Fell Off the Back of a Lorry" – 3:21 "Romeo Jones Is in Love Again" – 1:44 "Brumburger" – 4:23 "The Supermodels" – 4:02 "Shut Up Sidney" – 2:27 "Mrs. Mills" – 3:55 "Best Song in the World" – 2:44 "Synthesisers in the Rain" – 4:59 "Job Centre" – 3:00 "Council Houses" – 2:39 "Glue and Smack" – 3:44 "Jane Suck Died in 77" – 3:09 "Grandad's False Teeth" – 2:53 "Silly Rabbit" – 2:03 "Don't Bite Too Much Out of the Apple" – 3:20 "Myriad of Hoops" – 2:32 "Denim on Ice" – 1:32
Personnel Lawrence – Lead Vocals & Lyrics Tony Barber – Guitar, Synthesizer Bill Bass – Bass, Background Vocals K.V. Brake – Engineer Paul Brook – Programming Kevin Dempsey – Guitar Denim – Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer Tim Dorney – Electronics, Programming Duncan Goddard (Radio Massacre International) – Synthesizer Gerry Hogan – Dobro, Guitar, Pedal Steel Gerard Johnson – Engineer, Synthesizer, Vocoder Alex Jones – Engineer Terry Miles – Farfisa Organ, Hammond Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Background Vocals, Wurlitzer Russell Milton – Bass Brian O'Shaughnessy – Engineer, Producer, Roland MC-303, Synthesizer Peter Phipps (drummer) – Drums (Simmons kit), Background Vocals Sean Read – Background Vocals John A. Rivers – Mixing, Clap Trap, Programming Neil Scott – Guitar, Background Vocals Gerry Shephard – Guitar, Background Vocals Steve Walwyn – Guitar Norman Watt-Roy – Bass John Williams – Roland MC-303 Pete Z. – Mellotron, Hammond Organ, Piano, Roland MC-303, Synthesizer Smithy – Synthesizer, 303, piano, guitar, backing vocals, human beatbox, some arranging
Reception
Upon its release, Simon Price of the Melody Maker magazine gave it a favorable review, stating that the album was "possibly the funniest record ever made" and "an act of aesthetic warfare...and commercial suicide". John Sutherland included "Denim on Ice" in a list of "great storytelling albums", alongside The Kinks and The Pet Shop Boys. In April 2024, Uncut Magazine placed the album in the 222nd spot while listing the "500 Greatest Albums Of The 1990's".
References